I am trying my first custom build and I got a Convoy M21A C8+ from mountain Electronic but I don’t what 20mm driver and which 20mm mcpcb to get. According to the website that is all I need. I tried contacting mountain Electronic but I can’t get a reply. Anyone have some suggestions?
An M21A and a C8+ are 2 different models.
M21A uses a 20mm driver and the C8+ uses a 17mm driver.
The correct driver depends on which Emitter you are planning to use, have you chosen an Emitter yet?
I’d go with the following from Simon:
I’ve often thought about installing this LED/driver combo in my old C8 to replace the XP-L HI and MTN-17DDm driver, but I rarely use my C8 to justify it yet.
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Simon now offers a 20mm 3V 8A driver so there would be no need for the 17mm to 20mm adapter:
20mm 3V 8A buck driver 12groups for SFT40 KW CULPM1.TG
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Sweet!
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This is what comes with the flashlight.
Convoy M21A body / lens / reflector
Plastic reflector insulator/spacers (1x 3535 “XP” & 1x 5050 “XM/XHP50”)
Spring
Lanyard
This is what comes with the flashlight.
Convoy M21A body / lens / reflector
Plastic reflector insulator/spacers (1x 3535 “XP” & 1x 5050 “XM/XHP50”)
Spring
Lanyard
I’m guessing that these are the emitters
1x 3535 “XP” & 1x 5050 (“XM/XHP50”)
This is what it says that I need.
20mm driver and which 20mm mcpcb
I will post a link of what I have in my cart.
This is the driver that I chose.
However I’m not sure what mcpcb to chose.
That is how they had it listed but I think that might have been a listing error. I posted some more information on what it comes with.
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What’s your goal in building your own light? Are you doing it for the learning experience?
As @INeedMoreLumens said, you should start with choosing an emitter as that will narrow down the driver options.
You need to decide what kind of light you’re looking for. Floody, balanced, or throwy beam? What CCT? Do you care about CRI?
No offence, but you’re not going to learn very much from us telling you what LED and driver to get. Your build will amount to soldering two wires and then you’re done. We can offer recommendations but we need more info about what you want.
Perhaps you should do some more research on LEDs and drivers. Here’s good info in LEDs:
Are you wanting to order everything from Mtn? That’s fine but their options are a little dated.
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I am doing this as a learning experience and I want a flashlight with a lot of throw.
I have read a lot but I learn a lot more by actually building something and going from there. It might sound odd but if I start with a recommendation from someone, build it, I learn a lot.
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A SFT40 in a M21A with a 8A driver like @NeutralFan suggested will definitely throw.
In fact it would be hard to beat in that host!
The 20mm MTN20DDm you mentioned uses a DD(Direct Drive) FET, that paired with most 21700 batteries will provide too much current for all throwy Emitters I can think of, including the SFT40.
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Thanks, that gives me a good way to go.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005773658604.html
Is the right driver? 20mm 3V 8A buck driver 12groups for SFT40 KW
Yes, that and this one on 20mm MCPCB:
SFT40 LED,SFT-40-WCS-F50,N5-CE-VJ
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mKTvHbu
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Got it ordered, thanks for the help.
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Let us know how it looks after you have it all assembled. Curious to hear your impressions of the SFT40 in the C8.
The 5050 reflector gasket that comes with your C8+ should fit the SFT40.
Also, make sure you thoroughly clean the SFT40 with isopropyl alcohol once you have it screwed onto the shelf. I’ve read that some have had issues with black spots forming on the LED.
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Thanks for all the help. I will definitely post the finished flashlight.
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This is what mountain electronic suggested that I get.
FET Driver - 20mm
CREE XP-L HI V2 3A LED on Noctigon 20mm MCPCB
I ordered these and the ones from Ali because I’m sure I will want to do a second light.
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It’s a not regulated driver with unknown current to the emitter.
XP-L HI is pretty bad at handling high current.